Yonezawa Uesugi Museum: Special Exhibition “The Uesugi Family’s Residences – Castle, Clan Residence, and Earl’s Residence”
During the Edo period, the main palace of Yonezawa Castle served as the residence and ceremonial space for the head of the Uesugi family, as well as the central hub for clan governance. The Ni-no-maru and San-no-maru areas housed multiple residences for members of the Uesugi family.
In Edo (modern Tokyo), there were three clan residences: the upper residence in Sakurada, the middle residence in Azabu, and the lower residence in Shirokane. These residences were home to many samurai and women working in the household, who helped protect the Uesugi family, supported their daily lives, and played key roles in clan administration.
Large-scale castle maps of Yonezawa Castle and intricate and beautiful floor plans of the Edo residences have been passed down, primarily through the “Uesugi Documents” (held by the museum), allowing us to trace their changes over time.
This exhibition focuses on the plans from the era of the 9th clan lord, Uesugi Takanori. Through these maps, we will introduce the places and ways of life of Takanori, showing how he spent his life and worked on clan reforms.
Additionally, by examining national treasures such as the “Uesugi Family Documents” and ritual manuals, we explore the spatial composition of the residences, the functions of each room, the lives and ceremonies of the Uesugi family, as well as the duties and work of the samurai.
Furthermore, next to the museum, the Uesugi Earl’s Residence (a registered tangible cultural property) still stands, and this year marks the 100th anniversary of its reconstruction in 1915.
To commemorate this, we will also introduce the characteristics and highlights of the Uesugi Earl’s Residence.
◇ Exhibition Period
April 19 (Saturday), 2025 – June 22 (Sunday), 2025
[First Period] April 19 (Saturday) – May 18 (Sunday)
[Second Period] May 24 (Saturday) – June 22 (Sunday)
Please note: From May 19 (Monday) to May 23 (Friday), the exhibition will be changed, and only the permanent exhibition rooms will be open.
◇ Closed Days
April 23 (Wednesday), May 28 (Wednesday)
◇ Opening Hours
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Last admission is at 4:30 PM)
◇ Admission Fees
Adults: 800 yen (640 yen for groups of 20 or more)
High school and university students: 500 yen (400 yen for groups of 20 or more)
Elementary and junior high school students: 300 yen (240 yen for groups of 20 or more)
Special Days:
May 5 (Monday, public holiday) – Children’s Day: Free admission for elementary and junior high school students
May 18 (Sunday) – International Museum Day: Free admission for everyone
■ Lecture: “The Charm and Highlights of the Uesugi Earl’s Residence – From the Early Modern to the Modern Era”
Free Admission / Reservation Required
- Date and Time: June 8 (Sunday), 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
- Lecturer: Mr. Yasuo Nagai (Professor, Faculty of Engineering, Yamagata University)
- Venue: Denkoku no Mori, 2nd Floor, Large Conference Room
- Capacity: 80 people (First come, first served) Free admission for attendees
- Reservation Start: April 9 (Wednesday), 9:00 AM
- Reservation Phone: 0238-26-8001
- Reservation Email: welcome@denkoku-no-mori.yonezawa.yamagata.jp
When applying by email, please include the following information for each attendee: [Name, Address, Phone Number].
■ Gallery Talk (Exhibition Explanation by the Curator) – No Reservation Required
- April 19 (Saturday): “The Space and Function of the Residences, and the Way of Life”
- May 10 (Saturday): “The Lord’s Life, the Public and Private Spaces”
- May 24 (Saturday): “Uesugi Takanori’s Reforms and the Residences”
All talks are at 2:00 PM in the Special Exhibition Room, with a special exhibition admission fee required.
Curator: Shozaburo Sato (Curator of the Museum)
■ Uesugi Earl’s Residence 100th Anniversary of Reconstruction Collaborative Project
Panel exhibitions and commentary sessions are planned to be held inside the residence.
- Period: April 25 (Friday) – June 22 (Sunday)
Closed days and available viewing hours vary by facility.
◇ Contact Information
Yonezawa Uesugi Museum
1-2-1 Marunouchi, Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture
TEL: 0238-26-8001
